LETTER: Bring anti-domestic violence message to youth

Thursday

May 27, 2010 at 8:30 AM

Bring anti-domestic violence message to youth

Bring anti-domestic violence message to youth

In the past few days, there has been a great deal of coverage in local media outlets regarding the arrest of Mike Herren, who was expected to coach the SouthCoast United minor-league basketball team, on charges of assault and battery against his partner.

Those of us at the Katie Brown Educational Program are always disheartened to hear of incidences of domestic violence in our home community, but we sincerely hope that the conversations about domestic violence continue, so that the violence eventually ends.

According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, nearly one in four women in the United States reports experiencing violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life. It should be noted that men are also affected by violence perpetrated by an intimate partner, although, for a variety of reasons, it has been more difficult to quantify that number.

This violence impacts the health and well-being of the victims, and also causes pain to the family members and friends of the victimized individual. The repercussions of domestic violence are far flung and often long standing.

While offering support and compassion to survivors in the aftermath of the violence is crucial, it is the prevention of such violence before it happens that will lead to long-term change. Prevention programs that teach young people the skills they need to avoid violence are key to alleviating, and eventually ending, violence in intimate relationships.

Avoiding violence has two components, as youth need to learn how to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship to prevent victimization, and also need guidance on how to resolve conflict peacefully, so that they don't perpetrate violence. Universal programs target all youth, regardless of their history or perceived risk of being involved in an abusive relationship, to give them vital information about preventing violence in their dating and peer relationships.

Having that education in school, where issues of peer violence, relational aggression and dating violence are likely to begin and thrive, is of utmost importance.

It is our hope that youth will receive this education as early on as possible, and that they review these skills often. It is also our hope that young people will learn that violence in relationships is simply unacceptable. When schools create an environment that clearly communicates that message, that is a winning situation for young people, their families, and our community as a whole.

Ruth Zakarin

Executive Director

Katie Brown Educational Program

Fall River

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.